Needs assessment within the scope of reforms being carried out in penitentiary and probation sectors — Achievements made in the sectors presented to international colleagues

Under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Justice Levon Balyan, a regular discussion-meeting was held to discuss with international colleagues the progress of reforms in the penitentiary and probation sectors. The Deputy Minister welcomed his colleagues, expressed gratitude for responding to the invitation and for attending the meeting. He stressed that the meeting is attended by international colleagues with whom there are already effective programmes and co-operation in the penitentiary and probation sectors, and expressed hope that they will be ongoing. Levon Balyan emphasised that the results of co-operation are clear to see. Head of the UN and Sustainable Development Division Davit Manukyan mentioned that, in spite of the fact that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is determined with respect to the issue of reforms in the sectors, co-operation with international colleagues makes the reforms more prospective. Within the scope of the co-operation, colleagues from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Philipp Meissner and expert Vera Tkachenko are in Armenia to carry out needs assessment mission in the area of penitentiary and probation reforms. The Deputy Minister mentioned that, in the context of the ongoing judicial-legal reforms, special importance is attached to these sectors, effective protection of the rights of persons serving punishment, as well as the creation of guarantees for them, and in regard to this, the needs assessment mission, within the scope of penitentiary and probation reforms, has come to help to identify and assess the progress made in the sectors, the ongoing programmes and the obstacles that have been encountered. These assessments and observations will go on to serve as the basis for developing the international partnership in addressable directions in terms of establishing new partnerships and achieving even better results in the future. International colleagues Ph. Meissner and V. Tkachenko presented the mission and goals of the partnership, noting the importance of combating the criminal subculture, as well as the transition from punitive policy to restorative policy. The colleagues also emphasised the need for co-ordinated work as the basis for development of a new strategy. The meeting ended with a question-and-answer session.